March 15th, 2016
15/03/2016 Curborough Report
March 13th 2016 saw the first round of the btrda and msa autotest championships, held at Curborough sprint track in Staffordshire. Hagley and district light car club were the hosts.With clerk of course Malcolm Livingston and his team giving the competitors what they want,great tests.
The two British championship regulars from the Scottish autotest team, Warren Gillespie andWillie Keaning, were joined by the familiar face of team boss Gordon Clendining in an unfamiliar mini special, borrowed from a famous stunt driver for the day.
The day started off well for all 3 drivers with Gordon quickly getting back into being at the sharp end of the sport and mixing times with the top drivers. At the half way point the more mature member of the team was lying 3rd o/a!Unfortunately a couple of uncharacteristic penalties couple by some others “getting their eye in” in the afternoon saw Gordon finish a solid 7th o/a and 3rd in class.
In the nova class Warren and Willie started well and traded times all day. Warren was on form and had a clean run with no penalties and a great9th o/a and 1st in class. Willie wasn’t quite so lucky with 3 penalties throughout the day and a broken drive shaft ended his chance of competing for the class win, but still managed 2nd in class and 12th o/a.
The next outing for the team is March 19th at loughry college near Cookstown in Northern Ireland. Where Warren and Willie will compete on the second round of the N I championship against some of the best in the sport.